New Music 2021: Hip Hop and R&B

Check out some of the best new music of 2021, including hip hop and R&B hits.

New Music Releases

As the year comes to a close, music lovers are eagerly anticipating the release of new albums in 2021. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has put a hold on many live performances, artists have been busy in the studio working on new material. Here are some of the most anticipated hip hop and R&B albums set to drop in the new year.

Drake – Certified Lover Boy
The Canadian rapper’s sixth studio album was originally scheduled for release in 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Fans can expect Drake to explores his soft side on the record, with producer Noah “40” Shebib saying it will be “a world you’ve never heard Drake in before.”

Lil Baby – My Turn
Lil Baby’s sophomore album is one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2021. The Atlanta rapper had a breakout year in 2020 with his debut album Harder Than Ever, and he is expected to build on that success with his follow-up. My Turn is set to feature guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, 42 Dugg, and more.

Roddy Ricch – Please Excuse Me for Being Anti-Social 2
Roddy Ricch’s debut studio album Please Excuse Me for Being Anti-Social was one of the biggest hits of 2019, and he is set to release a sequel early in 2021. The first single from the album, “Boom Boom Boom,” was released in November 2020 and received positive reviews from fans and critics alike.

Jhené Aiko – Chilombo 2
Jhené Aiko announced plans for a sequel to her critically acclaimed album Chilombo earlier this year. The R&B singer has been quiet about details surrounding the project, but she has hinted that it will be even more personal than its predecessor. A release date has not yet been announced, but fans can expect Chilombo 2 sometime in 2021.

Best New Hip Hop Songs

As the world anxiously awaits what new music 2021 will bring, hip hop and R&B artists are already starting to deliver. From Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B’s brain-worming bop “WAP” to Doja Cat’s savvy “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, there’s already a plethora of great new hip hop songs to bump this spring.

Other artists already making waves in 2021 include Lil Tjay, 21 Savage, Flo Milli, Rod Wave, Polo G, and Saweetie. Check out our roundup of the best new hip hop songs of 2021 (so far) below.

Best New R&B Songs

There’s no denying that R&B songs have been dominating the charts lately. From H.E.R.’s “Slide” to Beyonce’s “Black Parade,” it seems like every day there’s a new R&B song topping the charts.

So, what are the best new R&B songs of 2021? We’ve rounded up some of our favorites below.

1. H.E.R. – “Slide”
2. Beyonce – “Black Parade”
3. Jhené Aiko – “Slow Dancing in the Dark”
4. SZA – “Good Days”
5. Chloe x Halle – “Ungodly Hour”

New Music Videos

With a new year comes new music, and 2021 is already off to a great start with fresh tunes from some of our favorite artists. We’ve rounded up the best music videos released so far this year, from hip hop and R&B bangers to lo-fi bedroom jams.

First up is “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, which dropped just in time for Black History Month. The powerful anthem celebrates black women everywhere, and the visuals are just as empowering. Other highlights include Doja Cat’s sexy “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA, Lil Nas X’s playful “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” and Dua Lipa’s anthemic “Levitating” featuring DaBaby.

If you’re looking for something a little calmer, try out James Blake’s heart-wrenching ballad “I Keep Calling” or Clairo’s dreamy “Softly.” And if you’re in the mood to dance, don’t miss Disclosure’s uptempo club banger “Douha (Mali Mali)” featuring Fatoumata Diawara or J Balvin and El Alfa’s infectious reggaeton track “Que Va.”

No matter what your taste is, there’s something on this list for everyone. So turn up the volume and get ready to groove.

Upcoming Music Festivals

With the release of so many new albums in 2021, fans of Hip Hop and R&B are dying to see their favorite artists perform live. Although many concerts have been postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic, there are still some great music festivals to look forward to. Here are a few of the most anticipated Hip Hop and R&B festivals in 2021:

-Rolling Loud: This festival takes place in Miami every year and features some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and R&B. This year’s lineup includes Lil Wayne, A$AP Rocky, Megan Thee Stallion, and more. The festival will take place from May 7-9.

-Wireless: Wireless is one of the UK’s biggest music festivals and takes place in London every year. The festival will feature performances from Cardi B, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, A$AP Rocky, and more. Wireless will take place from July 2-4.

-Made In America: Made In America is a music festival that takes place in Philadelphia every year. The festival was created by Jay Z and features a mix of Hip Hop, R&B, and pop performers. This year’s lineup includes Kirk Franklin, H.E.R., Jhené Aiko, and more. Made In America will take place from September 3-5.

Music Collaborations

Music collaborations are already underway for the new year between some of the industry’s biggest artists. Usher and Chris Brown are reportedly working on a new track, as well as Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper. Bieber is also said to be recording with Lil Dicky and Quavo.

Music Industry News

As the new year begins, so does a fresh start for the music industry. Although 2020 was a difficult year for many, it was also a breakout year for several new artists in the hip hop and R&B genres. From Doja Cat to Pop Smoke, these artists have taken the world by storm with their unique sounds and styles.

Doja Cat, who rose to prominence with her viral hit “MOOO!,” has been praised for her quirky and eccentric personality. She is also known for her fashion sense, which is often inspired by ’90s streetwear. Pop Smoke, on the other hand, was a newcomer to the music scene who quickly made a name for himself with his gritty and authentic rap style. He tragically passed away in February of 2020, but his music continues to live on and inspire other artists.

Other breakout artists in the hip hop and R&B genres include Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Polo G, and Lil Baby. These artists have all had successful careers thus far, and it seems like they are just getting started. With so much talent in the industry right now, 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for music lovers everywhere.

Grammy Awards

The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards will be held on January 31, 2021, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The ceremony recognizes the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, which ran from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2020. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine nods, followed by Taylor Swift with eight. The late artist Juice WRLD earned six nominations posthumously.

This year’s awards will feature 83 categories—up from 80 last year—including four new ones: Global Music Performance, Progressive R&B Performance (for a solo or duo/group performance), Regional Mexican Music Performance (for a solo or duo/group performance), and World Music Performance (for a solo or duo/group performance).

As always, the Grammy Awards are determined by more than 11,000 voting members of the Recording Academy. To be eligible for an award this year, recordings must have been released between September 1, 2019 and August 31, 2020.

Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Awards is an event that celebrates popular music. This year’s event will feature performances by some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and R&B. Be sure to tune in to see your favorite artists perform live!

American Music Awards

The American Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony created by Dick Clark in 1973. The AMA’s are the world’s largest fan-voted awards show where music enthusiasts can vote for their favorite artists in multiple genres.

This year, the AMA’s will feature performances by BTS, Doja Cat, Alicia Keys, Billie Eilish and many more. In addition to live performances, the AMA’s will also feature special award presentations.

The nominees for New Artist of the Year are Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X and Roddy Ricch. The nominees for Collaboration of the Year are “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé, “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande, “WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion and “Savage Remix” by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé.

The nominees for Favorite Music Video are “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé, “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande and “WAP” by Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion.

The complete list of nominations can be found here: https://www2.grammy.com/amp/amas-nominations-2021